WRIGLEY FIELD RENOVATIONS BEGIN

Now known as The 1060 Project, the Wrigley Field expansion and restoration upgrades are underway. Over four phases, a number of enhancements and improvements will be made to the ballpark's bleacher seating, home clubhouse, concessions, concourses, and more. A Ricketts Family neighborhood development plan will also be completed, including an open-air plaza outside the ballpark. A new office building will constructed at the north end of the property to house Cubs offices, conference meeting space and retail shops.

VIRGIN HOTEL CHICAGO TO OPEN JANUARY 2015

The new Virgin Hotel Chicago, which has gotten a fair share of hype through its #virginrumors whisper campaign, is scheduled to open Jan. 15, 2015. Now accepting reservations, the 292-room Virgin Hotel Chicago will have a number of unique amenities, including free Wi-Fi, an app that will allow guests to check in and control in-room functions, sliding doors that divide rooms into two chambers, and much more. The Virgin Hotel Chicago will also have four dining concepts: a lobby-meets-social-club, hip American diner, Italian beverage bar, and a rooftop bar.

2015 NFL DRAFT TO BE HELD IN CHICAGO

The 80th NFL Draft will be held April 30-May 2, 2015 at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University in Chicago. Rounds 1-3 will feature a number of city-wide festivities, including a red carpet on Michigan Avenue for prospects and an outdoor fan festival at Grant Park and Congress Plaza. The draft will be a week-long celebration of football for fans and will highlight Chicago as a premier sports town and world-class destination.

The historic Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University unveiled more grand plans for its 125th anniversary season, which included the return of Britain's Royal Ballet. The nation's flagship ballet company hasn't been in Chicago since 1978, and in 2015, Chicago will be one of three U.S. cities the performance troupe visits.

Travelers making their way through O'Hare International Airport can make one last noteworthy stop: Tortas Frontera, the Mexican eatery by celebrity chef Rick Bayless, which was named best airport restaurant in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler.

CHICAGO NAMED TO MONEY MAGAZINE'S "BEST PLACES TO LIVE IN AMERICA" 2014 LIST

Chicago is the largest city included in this year's "Best Places to Live in America" list by Money Magazine, based on its rankings of livability, housing affability and economic strength. The magazine also ranked Chicago's Edison Park neighborhood in its top 10 for big-city bargains, stating the "family-friendly neighborhood combines a suburban feel with some urban advantages."

DAMEN BLUE LINE STOP CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS

The Damen Blue Line station will be closed for major renovations until Dec. 22. The station will undergo substantial improvements to the station house, platform and other elements, as part of the Chicago Transit Authority's New Blue Project. The CTA will provide expanded bus service to accommodate customers. Keep the Blue Line closure in mind especially when traveling to and from O'Hare International Airport.